|
Definitions |
| Home > Finding Background Information > Page 1 of 1 |
 |
|
Begin by finding an overview of your research topic. An encyclopedia article can be a useful starting point. Look for these three important aspects:
Background information - provides an introduction, overview, and basic information about a topic.
Author - written by an expert or someone knowledgeable about the topic; it may be helpful to look for other articles written by this person later in your research.
Bibliography - a selected list of additional reading materials, chosen for their importance and comprehensiveness.
There are two basic types of encyclopedias:
A general encyclopedia covers all branches of knowledge and is comprehensive, but general in scope.
A subject encyclopedia focuses on a specific discipline or area of knowledge.
As you begin to gather information from background sources, it's a good idea to begin making a list of important keywords that describe your topic. These keywords will be useful to have when you begin searching in the library catalog, research databases, or on the web.
| Home > Finding Background Information > Page 1 of 1 |
We welcome your feedback
© 2000 Five Colleges of Ohio